Searching for survivors

From an HH-60 helicopter, Tech. Sgt. Keith Berry scans the flooded streets of New Orleans searching for survivors on Sept. 4, 2005. A provision of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act permits the secretary of defense to mobilize Air Force reservists like Berry if they are needed to respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Bill Huntington)

Responding to natural disasters

NEW ORLEANS – Scanning for signs of survivors, Tech. Sgt. Andrew Canfield keeps a close watch as the sun sets on the flooded city of New Orleans on Sept. 4, 2005. A provision of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act permits the federal government to mobilize Air Force reservists like Canfield if they are needed to respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Bill Huntington)

Westover responds to tornadoes

Residents of Monson, Mass., walk through their neighborhood after a tornado that ripped through the area June 1, 2011. Firefighters from Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., performed search and rescue the next day in Monson after two tornadoes left widespread damage in 19 communities across the area. (Courtesy photo/Capt. Robert Mancini)

Westover responds to tornadoes

A house in Monson, Mass., shows the aftermath of a tornado that ripped through the area June 1, 2011. Firefighters from Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., performed search and rescue the next day in Monson after two tornadoes left widespread damage in 19 communities across the area. (Courtesy photo/Capt. Robert Mancini)

Westover responds to tornadoes

A home in Monson, Mass., shows the aftermath of a tornado that ripped through the area June 1, 2011. Firefighters from Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., performed search and rescue the next day in Monson after two tornadoes left widespread damage in 19 communities across the area. (Courtesy photo/Capt. Robert Mancini)

Westover responds to tornadoes

Firefighters from Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., walk through a community in Monson, Mass., June 2, 2011. They responded to a community mutual agreement to search for survivors after two tornadoes the day before left widespread damage in 19 communities across the area. (Courtesy photo/Capt. Robert Mancini)